4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. 4-18-13

Game 15: Red Sox keep winning, improve to 11-4 with a 6-3 win

Great pitching continues for Boston as Jon Lester goes seven strong and the Red Sox put up three runs in the seventh to sweep the Cleveland Indians. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1)Top of the second inning, and Mike Napoli is facing Zach McAllister. Napoli skies what looks like a harmless flyball to right field, but the wind gets a hold of it. By the time the ball drops, Napoli is safe at third with a leadoff triple. Daniel Nava singles in Napoli to put the Red Sox up early, 1-0.

2) Bottom of the fifth inning, and the Red Sox are up 3-1. Former Red Sox Mike Aviles doubles to left field and goes to third base on a groundout. Drew Stubbs plays small ball and hits a ground ball to the right side of the mound, which always means the run scores, and the Indians are now only down 3-2. Good situational hitting for the Indians, as they advance and score Aviles without the benefit of a hit.

3)Top of the seventh inning, and the Red Sox get some breathing room. With men on first and third and one out, who else but Mike Napoli singles with a hard hit ball to right field to score Ellsbury and bring Victorino to third. Nava's sacrifice fly is not deep, but the speedy Victorino just beats the tag of Carlos Santana and the Red Sox go up 5-2. Mike Carp wants to join in on the fun as well, and his hard hit ball between the infielders scores Napoli and it's now 6-2 Red Sox.

4) Bottom of the eighth inning, and Andrew Miller takes over for Jon Lester. After he gets the first man on a strikeout, Miller walks Drew Stubbs and gives up a Michael Brantley single. Time for Koji Uehara, who always gets the job done. Unfortunately, he lets up a double to Santana to score a run. With men on second and third, Uehara buckles down and throws Nick Swisher some dirty pitches. Swisher is over-matched and strikes out, and the lead is safe. 6-3 Red Sox.

The score didn't change after the seventh, and the Red Sox starters keep working their magic. Tonight is the 15th straight start that a Red Sox starter has given up three or less runs. Not only is the pitching working,but the top third of the order continues to produce. The Red Sox look strong and Big Papi is rumored to come back for tomorrow's home stand, so things are looking up for the Red Sox. Tomorrow's match up is Clay Buchholz versus James Shields and the Kansas City Royals. Enjoy the game at 7:05pm.

Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox
Read my other articles here.